OBSCENE POT LAWS

Re: The Aug. 31 article "Island pot growers lose illicit fortune to RCMP
harvest."

The lax Canadian penalties over which Americans are frustrated regarding
marijuana possession and growing in British Columbia have their basis in
the fact that Canadians no longer think marijuana possession should be
dealt with as a criminal matter.

An Angus Reid Poll, which can be accessed at
http://www.angusreid.com/pressrel/marijuana_nov1997.htm shows that
Canadians support decriminalization by 51 per cent and that in British
Columbia almost two out of three voters want this law gone (63 per cent).

Under these circumstances the real crime is that this law exists in the
first place. It is obscene that Canadians and especially British Columbians
are getting criminal records for a crime the majority does not feel should
exist. Obviously under such circumstances penalties must be reduced or
eliminated - not increased.

Canadians, and especially British Columbians, are ready for regulation by
adults for adults, leaving the police to concentrate on keeping alcohol,
cannabis and other products out of the hands of minors.

Chuck Beyer,

Victoria